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Growth of the active-aging industry in the United States and Canada

ICAA Active Aging in America Report

Active Aging in America, 2014
Third Edition
Published by International Council on Active Aging (ICAA)

September 2013
136 pages, PDF format
US $799
ICAA Individual members, US $299
ICAA Organizational members, and ICAA 100 members, complimentary

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The older adult population is more accurately described by cultural perspective, life experience, socioeconomic status and level of functional ability rather than a chronological age. Every individual in this large and diverse group benefits from services to support their health and well-being—the services provided by the active-aging industry.

Organizations within the active-aging industry provide facilities and programs focused on the health and well-being of people who are 50 years and older. The industry is composed of providers—the professionals and organizations that deliver services—as well as the companies that supply the products, services and consulting to the providers. These organizations and individuals believe that throughout the aging process, people are able to maintain or improve their health through physical activity and healthy behaviors, are interested in lifelong learning, and are keen to develop skills and talents.

Translating the concept of active aging into focused opportunities and programs enables older adults to live productive, healthier lives

The report contains:

  • The size of the population; number of households and residences; age-targeted properties; wellness and service provider
  • Annual revenue of selected sectors
  • Age-targeted housing segments, amenities and design trends
  • Market profiles and potential of selected sectors, including independent living retirement communities, assisted living, continuing care retirement communities, active-adult (seniors) centers and adult day services, fitness centers, parks and recreation and workplace wellness
  • Descriptions of attitudes and cultural perspectives of three approximate age groups: 45-65, 65-75, 75 and older
  • Older adults’ attitudes toward successful aging, spending, life satisfaction and future activities
  • Social and cultural trends, building and design trends, repositioning for younger-older customers
  • Outlook for housing, community services, livable communities, fitness and wellness centers
  • Definitions, explanations

Selected trends:

  • Aging in place is driving the needs for remodeling, new developments emphasizing universal design, livable communities (providing transportation, safety, walkability, neighborhood services and recreation)
  • Longer working lives mean more economic productivity. People are working past age 65 because they need the income or want to stay in the workplace. As they continue paid employment, they purchase products and services, pay taxes and mentor the next generation of workers.
  • Technology is being developed to support safe and healthful living. The field of gerontechnology aims to enhance communication between older people and a virtual support network. Telehealth technologies enable older adults to take their blood pressure or monitor heart rates and send the results over the Internet to their physician. Quality of life technologies are intended to assist people with disabilities or functional limitations.
  • Retirement communities (independent living, assisted living, continuing care retirement communities) are remodeling current buildings and constructing new buildings and amenities to reposition for a “younger” older market by providing programs and infrastructure for active living, whether an upscale fitness center, pool and spa services or lifelong learning classrooms, computer labs, formal volunteer programs and partnerships with the larger community.
  • Active-adult centers are breaking from the traditional “senior center” stereotype to add workshops, fitness activities, contemporary dining options and lifelong learning to their repertoire of chronic disease management programs and access to supportive services.
  • Parks and recreation departments, recognizing the size of the older adult population using their community spaces, are increasing the number of programs that will appeal to older adults.
  • Fitness and wellness centers are working to serve the older adult market, with targeted programs increasingly funded by health insurance providers.
  • Rehabilitation providers are working more closely with wellness (preventive services) professionals to help their clients maintain the gains earned during therapy.

Active aging

Active aging, as described by the World Health Organization, “allows people to realize their potential for physical, social, and mental well-being throughout the life course and to participate in society, while providing them with adequate protection, security and care when they need.”

Active aging means being engaged in life, to the fullest extent possible. The International Council on Active Aging, as do many aging services providers, organizes quality of life opportunities for older adults within the dimensions of wellness: physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, environmental, emotional and professional/vocational.

Methodology

“Growth of the active-aging industry in the United States and Canada” includes information and data gathered from federal and state governments, trade associations, foundations, published research papers, and public and private organizations. Commentary from reliable industry experts has been considered. International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) provided primary research from surveys conducted within ICAA’s network of members and associates. ICAA has included statistics from sources considered reliable, recognizing that the numbers used may not be consistent with other reliable sources. Some sources have been excluded because of definitions or because the statistics reported varied widely from other sources. Every effort has been taken to insure the reliability of this report. However, ICAA is not responsible for errors or omissions.

Contents

Introduction

The age of opportunity
An industry defines itself

Chapter 1. Industry outlook

The new world of active aging: a demographic revolution

The potential of population aging
An industry defines itself
What is the active-aging industry?
Positioning for the future
Trends to watch
Active aging is the strategy

Chapter 2. Scope of the active-aging industry

Service providers for a growing population

Looking at the numbers
Households and living arrangements
Properties
Housing market
Wellness and services providers
Selected valuations

Chapter 3. Lifestyles and attitudes redefine aging

Staying involved and active brings quality to life

Perspective at older ages
Aging and well-being
Wealth, work and spending
Health conditions and self-rated health
Lifestyles and attitude create active aging

Chapter 4. Seniors housing and retirement communities

Age-friendly residences suit a range of lifestyles

Housing a growing population
Where do older adults live?
Social and economic trends influence housing
Building trends
Design trends
Retirement communities reposition to meet market demand
Market profiles:
Independent living (IL) communities
Active adult communities
Continuing care retirement communities (CCRC)
Assisted living (AL) communities
Nursing homes
Age-friendly seniors housing
Housing outlook

Chapter 5. Livable communities create wellness opportunities

Public and private organizations focus on age-friendly communities

Aging in place
Trends in community planning
Individual actions to promote community living
Caregivers support aging in place
Home and community services
Market profiles:
Seniors centers/active-adult centers
Parks and recreation centers
Adult day services
Livable communities outlook

Chapter 6. Fitness and wellness centers

Moving beyond physical activity toward overall health and wellness

Fitness centers broaden their offerings
Program trends aim to boost participation
Market profiles:
Health clubs and fitness clubs
YMCA
Personal training
Medical fitness centers
Workplace wellness
Fitness and wellness centers outlook

Appendices

Methodology
List of charts and tables
Glossary of terms
ICAA Functional levels
ICAA Active-aging industry resources

Author
Patricia Ryan, MS, Vice President of Education, International Council on Active Aging

Publisher
International Council on Active Aging
3307 Trutch Street
Vancouver, BC V6L 2T3
Toll-free: 1-866-335-9777 (North America only)
Telephone: 604-734-4466
Website: www.icaa.cc

About the International Council on Active Aging
The International Council on Active Aging® is the professional association that leads, connects and defines the active-aging industry. ICAA supports professionals who develop wellness facilities, programs and services for adults over 50. The association is focused on active aging—an approach to aging that helps older adults live as fully as possible within all dimensions of wellness—and provides its members with education, information, resources and tools.

As an active-aging educator and advocate, ICAA has advised numerous organizations and governmental bodies, including the US Administration on Aging, the National Institute on Aging (one of the US National Institutes of Health), the US Department of Health and Human Services, Canada’s Special Senate Committee on Aging, and the British Columbia ministries of Health, and Healthy Living and Sport.

Copyright 2013-14 by ICAA Services, Inc., dba International Council on Active Aging.® All rights reserved. No reproduction permitted without the express permission of the publisher.

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